Citizen in a RepublicNH Bill Briefing
← All bills

SB 299 · 2025 · Senate · Energy and Natural Resources Committee

Penalties for water pollution contractors

AI-generated

relative to penalties for contractors violating water pollution and waste disposal regulations.

Authorizes civil penalties up to $5,000 per violation and administrative fines, doubling for repeat offenses, against contractors who supervise or perform work that violates the shoreland water quality protection act.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · June 11, 2025
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓Senate
  3. ✓House
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill imposes penalties on contractors who supervise or perform work in violation of the shoreland water quality protection act.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill as enacted. Passages chosen from the operative text.Computed by this site

“Contractors who supervise or do any work violating the provisions of this chapter shall be subject to the following:”
Section 94:1
“Upon petition of the attorney general or the municipality in which the violation occurred, the superior court may levy upon any person violating this chapter a civil penalty in an amount not to exceed $5,000 for each violation.”
Section 94:1
“The superior court shall have jurisdiction to restrain a continuing violation of this chapter and to require remediation.”
Section 94:1
“The commissioner, after notice and hearing pursuant to RSA 541-A, may impose an administrative fine of up to $5,000 for each offense upon any person who violates this chapter.”
Section 94:1

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Sen. Howard PearlRPrimeVice Chair· Energy and Natural Resources

Public testimony

288 signed in online · 154 wrote testimony

100% support0% oppose0% neutral

ForCloses loophole shifting liability from contractors to owners

AI-generatedLeading arguments, summarized by the testimony tool.

Read the arguments

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“I feel this bill will eliminate a loophole that may have encouraged irresponsible contractors to ignore permit requirements, giving them an unfair advantage over reputable professionals who follow the law. I support making a level.…”
— James Dexter, New Londonsupports
“Everyone in NH lives in a watershed. Our lakes keep us beautiful and desirable. It is important to support this bill.”
— Janet Simmon, Laconiasupports
“Contractors should be held accountable for violating state laws along our lakes. Our lakes are a valuable resource and are important for tourism. Once something is destroyed it is difficult to get it back.”
— Linda Bramante, Ctr Barnsteadsupports

Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Mar 20, 2025SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass4–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Mar 20, 2025SenateVoice voteOught to Passadopted
  • Apr 16, 2025HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Ought to Pass16–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • May 1, 2025HouseVoice voteOught to Passadopted
  • May 22, 2025SenateVoice voteEnrolledadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Mar 11, 2025Public hearingSenate Energy and Natural Resources1:34–15:2113m 47slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Mar 20, 2025Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Ought to Pass — adopted, voice vote
  • Apr 16, 2025Public hearingHouse Resources, Recreation and Development4:13:40–4:15:361m 56slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Public Hearing; Executive Session
  • May 1, 2025Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamOught to Pass — adopted, voice vote
  • May 22, 2025Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamEnrolled Adopted — voice vote

Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.

Legislative history

  1. Feb 13, 2025SenIntroduced 02/13/2025 and Referred to Energy and Natural Resources; SJ 6
  2. Mar 11, 2025SenHearing: 03/11/2025, Room 103, SH, 09:00 am; SC 12
  3. Mar 20, 2025Sen: Ought to Pass, 03/20/2025; Vote 4-0; CC; SC 13
  4. Mar 20, 2025SenOught to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/20/2025; SJ 8
  5. Mar 27, 2025HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 03/27/2025 and referred to Resources, Recreation and Development HJ 11 P. 113
  6. Apr 16, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 04/16/2025 11:30 am LOB 305
  7. Apr 16, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 04/16/2025 02:00 pm LOB 305
  8. Apr 16, 2025HouseCommittee Report: Ought to Pass 04/16/2025 (Vote 16-0; CC) HC 22 P. 11
  9. May 1, 2025HouseOught to Pass: MA VV 05/01/2025 HJ 13 P. 7
  10. May 22, 2025HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 05/22/2025 HJ 15 P. 53
  11. May 22, 2025SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 05/22/2025); SJ 15
  12. Jun 10, 2025SenSigned by the Governor on 06/10/2025; Chapter 0094; Effective 01/01/2026

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.